Severable packaging structure



D86. 10, 1968 w ROBWSON ET AL 3,415,412

SEVERABLE PACKAGING STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 6, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 NVENTORS WILL IA M ROG/N80 BYGEZAL D A. .SHIFFEE A TTORNEVS Dec. 10, 1968 w. H. ROBINSON ET A 3,415,412

SEVERABLE PACKAGING STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 6, 1967 INVENTORS WILLIAM H. ROBINSON GERALD- 8-. BY

SHIFFEIE km.

1 M M, L

A TTOR/VE K5 Dec. 10, 1968 w, ROBINSON ET AL SEVE RABLE PACKAGING STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 6, 1967 JNVENTORS WILLIAM H. ROBlN$0N GERALD A. SH/FFER BY ATTOR/V' Y5 United States Patent 3,415,412 SEVERABLE PACKAGING STRUCTURE William H. Robinson, New Vienna, and Gerald A. Shitler,

Wilmington, Ohio, assignors to Buckeye Molding Company, New Vienna, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Dec. 6, 1967, Ser. No. 688,559 Claims. (Cl. 220-54) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Sealed container-closure structure with closure portion having a severable portion joined with a gripping member and having certain weakened sections to facilitate severability and to insure that severability occurs at desired locations.

Field of Invention The present invention relates generally to merchandise packaging w'herein merchandise is placed withina contairfer and sealed therein and, more particularly, to closuresv that are especially suitable for vacuum or hermetic sealing of containers.

Summary and Objects In the packaging of food and/ or beverages, as Well as other merchandise, it is desirable toprovide closure means that can be easily and economically used in desired quantities and which are useful and effective to enclose various types of contents within various types of containers. In certain instances, it is desirable that the container-closure combination be sealed in a manner capable of preventing leakage when theseal is subjected to a high pressure differential so as to be useful toprovide a gas or vapor barrier when vacuum packaging filling and sealing methods are employed. In other instances, a hermetic seal capable of providing air-tightness or moisture-tightness at relatively low pressure differential may be sufficient. In still other instances, it may be sufficient that the sealing means merely provide sufficient connection between the closure and container so that the closure functions essentially as a cover to avoid spillage of the contents of the container or to avoid contamination of contents by foreign material.

Closure members in accordance with the present invention preferably employ structures of molded plastic material or a combination of such material with other material in order to provide a tough durable surface having substantial elasticity or resilience together with dimensional stability and which is capable of being sealed by various sealing methods including heat sealing or welding, or sealing by use of a sealing compound of a well-known type such as plastisols, organosols, sealants of heat or pressure sensitive type, or by use of a suitable solvent. Such plastic materials may include, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and resinous materials such as polyvinyl chloride and the like, although the invention is not necessarily limited thereto. The closure devices and containers employed therewith may have various shapes and configurations such as, for example, circular, oval, polygonal, etc. Additionally, closures and containers in accordance with the invention may be utilized for packaging, either under hermetic or vacuum type seal, various liquids and solids including food, beverages, dairy products, drugs, industrial, commercial and other products such as metals, chemicals, poisonous materials, nuts, bolts, nails, etc.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved closure member.

Another object is to provide a closure device having portions adapted to tightly engage or to be sealed to sur- 3,415,412 Patented Dec. 10, 1968 face portions of a container and having a removable tear portion together with readily accessible grasping means therefor.

A further object is to provide a device of the character described for effectively sealing contents within a container and for facilitating opening the container and removal of its contents.

Another object is to provide a device which is simple and durable in construction, which can be readily and inexpensively manufactured and which will reliably and effectively provide a fluid tight seal between the interior of a container and the ambient atmosphere.

Still another object is to provide an improved device which includes unique structural features cooperatively arranged to simultaneously perform several functions, including provision of a desirable degree of leverage thereby minimizing physical elfort required to sever a removable tear portion, providing a durable structure and simultaneously providing weakened sections at desired 10- cations to insure that severability will occur at such 10- cations, and maintaining various structural components in a desired location during manufacturing operations without interfering with ready accessibility thereof.

Description These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a merchandise package embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view looking in the direction of arrows 2--2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view illustrating the connection between the lifting tab and the remainder of the closure;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view looking in the direction of arrows 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view, similar to FIGURE 1, in which instructions are shown for opening and removing the removable portion of the closure;

FIGURE 6 is a view illustrating a modification of the embodiment of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view, similar to FIGURE 2, illustrating the modification of FIGURE 6 with the tab in lifted position;

FIGURE 8 is an elevational view, partly broken away, showing a further modification embodiment in a reclosable closure;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view looking in the direction of arrows 9-9 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 10 is a view like FIGURE 9 but showing the lifting tab in a lifted position; and,

FIGURE 11 is a view illustrating a modification of the embodiment of FIGURE 9.

Referring to the drawings, a closure embodying the present invention is generally indicated at 10 andincludes atop 11 having an annular shoulder 12 forming a depressed center portion 13 and a raised rim 14. An annular skirt 15 depends from rim 14 and engages the outer surface or wall of container 16.

As best shown in FIGURE 2, an annular score line 17 is provided in an inner wall closure 10, such score line being disposed between skirt portion 15 and shoulder portion 12. Additionally, for reasons which will become apparent as the description proceeds, score line 17 is dis posed substantially in alignment with the inner wall of container 16.

Connected to shoulder portion 12 and extending gen erally inwardly therefrom is a lifting tab 18 which terminates in a finger grip portion 19. Along the upper sur face of lifting tab 18 is a rib portion 20,. the outermost portion of which is also connected to shoulder portion 3 12, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. The outermost extremity of rib 20 is separated from rim 14 by notch 21 for a purpose which will become apparent.

From the foregoing, use and operation of the closure should be readily understandable. After filling container 16 with its contents, closure is positioned thereon with skirt portion engaging the outer side wall of container 16 to effect a seal therewith. Skirt portion 15 may be sealed to the wall of the container by known sealing methods, including heat sealing, welding, or by use of a sealing compound which may be of heat or pressure sensitive type or may include a suitable solvent. After container 16 has been filled and the closure sealed thereto, when access to the contents of the container is desired, grip 19 is grasped and lifted upwardly and then pulled according to instructions set forth on the closure as shown in FIGURE 5. Lifting grip 19 tends to pivot tab 18 in a clockwise direction, FIGURE 2, about a pivot point between the vertex of score line 17 and bottom of notch 21 until the upper portion of notch 21 becomes closed and the upper and outermost edge of rib engages the inner side wall of rim 14. Thereafter, continued lifting action exerted on lifting tab 18 which, being stiffened by rib 20, causes said outer-most edge of rib 20 to bear against the inner side wall of rim 14 and thereafter to act as a fulcrum so that continued lifting action on tab 18 causes rupture of the thin wall section between score line 17 and the lowermost corner of notch 21. If desired, such section may be further weakened in the immediate vicinity of the center line thereby insuring that rupture will initially occur substantially at said center line. After initial rupture has occurred, pulling on finger grip portion 19 in a direction along the center line of lifting tab 18 and in a direction tending to move tab 18 radially inward, FIGURE 5, will cause the initial rupture to progress circumferentially along score line 17 in opposite directions from the point of initial rupture until top 11 of closure 10 has been completely severed from rim and skirt portions 14, 15 of the closure. As noted heretofore, the center of groove 17 is located substantially in alignment with the inner surface of the inner Wall surface of container 16 to facilitate removal of the contents thereof and to avoid trapping or partial trapping of such contents. Alternatively, annular groove 17 may have a diameter greater than or less than the inner diameter of container 16 depending upon whether it is desired to impede or avoid impedance of removal of the contents from container 16.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, a modified grip portion 19a replaces portion 19 of the previous embodiment with all other components being as described in connection with FIGURES 1-5 except that the length of tab 18 may be reduced.

FIGURES 8-10 show a reclosable type of closure 10 embodying the invention. Lift tab 18a and rib 20a are joined to skirt 15. As best shown in FIGURE 8, score line 17a extends around the entire periphery of the inner surface of skirt 15 at a location below the uppermost edge 16a of container 16. A second score line 17b extends between score line 17a and the lower edge of skirt 15. Lift tab 18a and rib 20a are located within a gap formed by opposite ends of a flange 22 which, except for said gap, extends around the entire outer periphery of skirt 15. One of the ends of flange 22 is spaced apart from rib- 20a thereby forming a notch 21a, the innermost corner of which is located substantially in alignment with score line 17b.

When tab 18a is lifted, it first pivots clockwise, FIG- URE 10, about a pivot point between the vertex of score line 17b and the innermost corner of notch 21a. Thereafter, continued lifting action first results in rib 20a coming into engagement with the adjacent end of flange 22 and thereafter such engagement creates a fulcrum and causes rib 20a and tab 18a to act as levers and, as tab 18a is lifted still further, rupture of the thin wall section occurs alongscore line 17b. Thereafter, continued pulling of tab 18a in the direction of arrow 23 causes the lower portion of skirt 15 to be severed along line 17a from the remaining portions of closure 10 which then may be readily removed from container 16. However, as noted heretofore, since line 17a is below the upper edge 16a of the container, a portion of skirt 15 is still available to engage container 16 so that said remaining portions of the closure may be used to reclose the container.

In FIGURE 11, there is shown a modification of the embodiment of FIGURES 9-10 wherein the vertex of groove 17b has been shifted to the left so that the vertex of groove 17b is located substantially adjacent the left side of rib 20a instead of With the corner of notch 2111, the lower corners of which are now rounded to avoid stress concentration in the vicinity of the notch. Additionally, in this modification, the left hand side of rib 20a is not rounded at its juncture with skirt 15 to create a point of stress concentration adjacent said vertex. In this modification, after lift tab 18a has been lifted and rupture along score line 17b has been effected, severance along line 17a may then be effected by continued pulling of tab 18a in the general direction of lifting and in a direction opposite to that indicated by arrow 23, FIG- URE 8.

Thus, it will be seen that the various structural elements are, according to the invention, arranged in such manner that they cooperate to perform several functions simultaneously. Rib 20 strengthens lifting tab 18 and avoids accidental tearing thereof and simultaneously serves as a fulcrum and a lever to minimize force required to cause rupture of material at the pivot point at which rupture stress is concentrated due to cooperation of score groove or line 17 and notch 21. Also, as set forth herein, the location of notch 21 relative to groove 17 and rib 20 simultaneously provides for proper leverage, location of the fulcrum point, and application of rupture stress at the desired location and in the proper direction to insure that rupture of the closure material can be effected with minimum effort and that rupture will occur at a desired and controlled location. Additionally, location of the initial rupture point below the inner corner of notch 21, 21a, or below rib 20a, provides protection by the material fo rim 14, flange 22, or rib 21a against inadvertent rupture due to abrasion during manufacturing and/or capping operations. If desired, to provide a seal under very high vacuum, the foregoing embodiments of the invention may be utilized in conjunction with a metal insert located between the closure 10 and container 16, as disclosed in prior application of William H. Robinson, Ser. No. 557,837, filed June 15, 1966.

It is to be understood that the terms score line and score groove have been used interchangeably in the sense that the sides of the annular groove define the vertex thereof and/ or a line along the extent of said vertex.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a closure having a top portion and a skirt portion for sealing engagement with a container, the combination comprising:

a severable portion including:

a wall joined to other portions of the closure and defining therewith a weakened section,

a force-augmenting member joined to said severable portion and having:

an end wall spaced apart from said other portions, said member also being connected to said joined wall and defining therewith; stress concentration means adjacent said weakened section, said member also having a distal end portion spaced from said end wall, and said member being pivotable upon application of a force at said distal end to close the spacing between said end wall and said other portions and cause a corner of said end wall to become a fulcrum point and thereby cause said force to be augmented and transferred to said joined wall adjacent said location and said weakened section to cause rupture of said joined wall.

2. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said end wall and said other portions are spaced apart and form a notch having a bottom surface spaced inwardly from the outer surfaces of said end wall and said other portions and disposed adjacent said weakened section.

3. A closure according to claim 1 adapted for pressure differential sealing to a container, which closure includes a second member adjacent the bottom of said top portion.

4. Structure according to claim 1 and additionally including a second weakened section adjacent the annular weakened section and adjacent said notch.

5. Structure according to claim 4 wherein said annular weakened section is formed by a first groove of substantially uniform depth and said second section is formed by a groove segment of varying depth and superimposed on said first groove.

6. Structure according to claim 5 wherein said notch and said grooves are disposed at opposite sides of the wall defining said annular weakened section.

7. A package comprising a closure according to claim 1 and additionally including a container sealingly engaged by said closure.

8. Structure according to claim 7 wherein said Weakened section is circular and has a diameter substantially corresponding to the inside diameter of said container.

9. A package comprising a closure according to claim 4 and additionally including a container sealingly engaged by said closure.

10. A package comprising a closure according to claim 5 and additionally including a container sealingly engaged by said closure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,163,317 12/1964 Biedenstein et a1 220-54 3,281,007 10/1966 Dorosz 220--54 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. G. T. HALL, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 22027 

